California's future may be paved with fees (Are Toll Roads The Future?)

LA Times ^ | 13 February 2007 | Evan Halper

[Izzy Dunne]

However, I don't know how to break this to you gently. Politicians lie.

I am aware of that.

I am NOT arguing that the gas tax actually covers the cost of the construction.

I am just doubting that they will REDUCE the tax.

[Who dat?]

Arroyo Seco Freeway (Pasadena) opened December 20, 1940. No tolls

I thought the initial phase of the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened around October of 1940.

Just bringing it up because my understanding was that “freeway” didn’t depend upon whether or not tolls were required, just whether it had controlled access and no crossings at grade.

Further, I recall there were highways (parkways, whatever) in the Northeast that *almost* qualified (technically) as freeways way before 1940. They had controlled access and no (or minimal) crossings at grade, but they prohibited commercial traffic and therefore couldn’t be called “freeways.”

But maybe I’m misremembering… there – there’s three minutes of my life gone that I’ll never get back. LOL.

I suspect it’s a case of California thinking they “birthed” something that they didn’t, that’s all.

[OregonRancher]

My dad told me that the people were proud to call them freeways because they didn't have to pay a toll, we Californian's being so more advanced than the old fashioned people back east who didn't have the good sense to move someplace warm.

Said to me while Dad was driving.